Looking for Orange County mentor to prove me wrong

[David Hodge]

My wife, @Sara Hodge, and I have been on BP for around 6 months now. We own our primary residence in Orange County, California, but due to the high prices, we decided to invest out of state. We now own two rentals (SFR) in the Midwest that we purchased through turnkey providers. We are really excited about our purchases and have great expectations, but after reading some real estate investing books, I feel like we might be missing out on something more. These books, as well as a number of people on BP, make it clear that you make your money when you buy and that buying either below market, or forcing appreciation, is key to true wealth building.  Obviously this isn't possible when you buy a 100% turnkey property since you're buying retail.

Since we live in CA, I don't believe I can buy rentals that will cash flow from day one.  I'm writing this because I want to meet with someone who can prove me wrong.  I am dead set on creating passive income and wealth through rental properties, and I'd really like to be able to do this where I live (Southern California).  Is this possible?  If you are successfully buying and renting cash-flowing properties in Southern California, I would love to meet up for breakfast or coffee (on me!).